1969 Hurst SS/AMX

car pictures go here

General Information Body Styles And Trim Levels Engines Transmissions Production Numbers VIN Decoder Unit Body Identification Plate Bibliography

General Information

Followers of SS history may think that the information gap challenges that currently exist are endemic to these specific cars alone, they are not. As recent as 2009, the vin numbers pertaining to the 50 Fred Gibb COPO '68 Novas were not publically known. Later that year Helen Gibb released the vin sequence for all 50 cars after 40 plus years of speculation. True, all 50 cars ( a number not disputed over the years ) were delivered to one dealer and presumably one source kept the records ( Fred Gibb, and then his widow ), but nonetheless, the general public  did not know the specific vins before she released the information in 2009. In the case of the SS AMX and the exact original vin run, there are those that claim they know the numbers, and if so, the stated motive of "protecting" SS owners from unscrupulous types cashing in on fakes if the final tally, 50, 51, 52, 53, or 54 original SS's built were known exactly by their vin number identification, tends to sound ridiculous when the far greater value Fred Gibb cars are all known down to the individual vin number. The challenge to overcome then, is people. People with their own agenda, and that agenda does not benefit the historian, potential owner, nor the merely curious at large. But like other challenges, and as the COPO Nova example illustrates, the facts can rise above.

 In the meanwhile, what we do know about these fantastic machines and the companies that built them is pretty remarkable. Check out the details.

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Body Styles and Trim Levels

 One body style existed for this special AMX offshoot:
2 door hardtop
2 passenger seating
Charcoal interior
SST equivalent trim ( standard on all AMX's )
 

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Engines

AMC installed only one engine. The 390 - Y code 390 after mods performed at Hurst - see TSM or red, white, blue parts supplement sheets
The unique two part build nature unique to the Hurst SS/AMX means that the vin code X doesn't tell the whole story
 See Andre Jacobs details in Segment 5
 

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Transmissions

4 speed manual, close-ratio T-10, according to the window invoice- no mention of any other in the model's Parts Supplement Sheets -a tech bulletin that Hurst (Ferndale, MI ) later issued references installing the wide ratio 2.64 transmission for best performance
newer information in concert with period photos and descriptions point to the shifter as a custom piece with a mix of aftermarket like Competition Plus pieces ( not related to the factory Comp Plus), oversize shift rods, specific shift arms, and steel mount bracket. Latest information shows a split consensus on whether the cars came with reverse lockout or not, yet the Parts Supplement Sheet lists reverse lock-out as a standard SS part.
 

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Production Numbers

53 ( unconfirmed publicaly as of this time- 7 October, 2009 )
 

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VIN Decoder

*vins 213560 through 213612 (53), batch built, all inclusive- sequential order numbers relative to all other orders for the year
A=American Motors
9=1969
M=4 speed manual, floor shift
3= Series 30  first digit-AMX
9=2 door hardtop coupe
7= Series 30-second digit-AMX
*X=390 V8

Note(s)*: vin run unconfirmed. At least two camps hold that the number is either 52 or 53 and the last vin is either 611 or 612- there are unconfirmed reports that certain people and possibly owners have the actual document showing the vin totals as well as the '70 conversion vin totals and cross-references. If true, the only logical source would be a factory document that someone got when AMC was bought out –and files, records, publications, and parts were liberated everywhere from dusty corners or an NHRA document that was copied ( before the NHRA took the stance of not releasing information beyond one general price sheet for the first vin SS), or information that a regional NHRA rep would have had to correctly identify SS spec conformity at tracks when these cars were new. No dealers would have logically received a master list of either the original inclusive vin list nor the '70 conversion master list nor a cross-reference table.
    It is wholly believable, in fact it would be absolutely necessary, for a '70 vin total, completely akin to the '69 one ( with 50 being what the NHRA would require, to exist in order to pull off what Mopar did in 1969 by updating the hemi Darts and Cudas. In the case of AMC, there were not the key updates on the "assembly line" ( in this case the '69's in the field ) such as heads, and Edelbrock CR bases ( Edelbrock only ever offered '70 and later bases- the tops were carry over -  unconfirmed at this time ), dogleg headers, and upper ball-joint front suspension.

The TSM refers to the engine as a Y code- denoting the special nature of the engine as delivered

The vin kept the X code- the general term accurately describing a 390/4 bbl car - which is how these cars were equipped when they came off the AMC assembly line



 

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Unit Body Identification Plate

Body –  Hurst SS/AMX's came with drilled doors for the Body ID Plate but none were installed. In part, a plate indicated compliance with all Federal safety regulations. Instead of the plate SS's had a yellow sticker excluding the car from any implied warranty and referring to using the car for off-road applications only. The cars were technically not street legal
 

Model N/A
 

Trim N/A

Paint N/A
 

The following colors were available in 1960-1970. The original color can be determined by looking at Build sheet, Bill of Lading, Hurst checklist, or window sticker.  An unsubstantiated number of cars were painted RWB at no charge quickly and with rudimentary prep and taping at a paint facility in the next town over  from the Warren, Michigan Hurst warehouse. The facility name will be included later in print media.
 

Paint codes may also be prefixed with a P or suffixed with an A. Note that some cars were painted non-standard colors. These cars will typically have a code such as " 00" or "SPEC". This was reserved for large orders in the special color, usually for fleet use.

Color samples can be viewed at http://autocolorlibrary.com/aclns.html

Sequential Assembly Number

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Bibliography

The following sources were used to verify the information contained on this page:

• Andre Jacobs-http://www.amx-perience.com/1969SSAMX.htm
  
•  webpage above and phone interview- friendship and guidance as well as invaluable experience
   
• Walt Czarnecki- phone interview
• Brian Higgins ( S&K car owner )phone interviews
• Garrett Ghezzi- phone interview
  
• Tom Benvie- phone and internet
   
• Jim L'Esperance- internet- provided original documents
   
• Parts Supplement Sheets
• George Gudat- phone and email -provided suggestions and leads

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